Cop, pitcher say Offerman got his hits

Michael P. Mayko

Updated 12:15 am, Saturday, July 19, 2014

Former Ducks player Jose Offerman, right, and his attorney, Frank Riccio, Jr, arrive at the federal courthouse in Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday, July 17, 2014. Offerman is being sued by former Bluefish catcher Jonathan Nathans for injuries sustained in a charging the mound incident in a 2007 game between the two teams.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Former Bluefish catcher Jonathan Nathans arrives at the federal courthouse in Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday, July 17, 2014. Nathans is suing former Long Island Ducks player Jose Offerman and the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League for injuries sustained in a charging the mound incident in a 2007 game between the two teams.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Related Stories

BRIDGEPORT -- The leadoff home run wasn't the only hit witnesses say Jose Offerman got on Aug. 14, 2007.

Both Matt Beech, the Bridgeport Bluefish pitcher that night, and Police Officer Damien Czech, who was on duty at the game, claim to have seen Offerman's raised bat connect with body parts when he charged the mound after being hit with a fastball.

"I had both hands up, and luckily he hit my glove," said Beech, who said the bat broke the ring finger on his gloved hand. "He took more than one swing. I'm sure he took several swings."

Beech's videotaped testimony was played for the six-man, four-woman jury hearing a $4.8 million civil suit brought against Offerman and the Long Island Ducks by Johnathan Nathans, the Bluefish catcher that night. The case is beaing heard in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport before Judge Warren W. Eginton.

Nathans claims he was struck in the head by Offerman's bat while trying to stop the enraged batter from charging the mound. The catcher claims he still suffers from traumatic head injuries that ended his career.

"I heard it," Beech said of the hit on his catcher. "It was a pretty loud whack."

Czech, who was positioned on the stadium's concourse about 100 yards from the pitcher's mound, was watching the crowd. His attention was drawn to the field when he heard a commotion and saw Offerman charging the mound with his bat above his head.

"I saw a struggle," Czech testified, explaining that Nathans had a hold of Offerman.

The officer said he saw the bat strike Beech's gloved hand, then Nathans' head.

Did you observe any injury to Mr. Nathans?" asked Eileen Becker, the Ducks' lawyer.

"No," Czech replied.

"You didn't see any bleeding, cuts?" questioned Becker.

"No," the officer said.

Still, the incident had to bring back memories for Czech.

On Sept. 28, 2004, he was one of several officers who fired fatal shots into Jonathan Mosley as he charged them, swinging a bat during a domestic disturbance.

Also testifying Friday was Frank Boulton, the founder of the Atlantic League and owner of several teams, including both the Bluefish and the Ducks. Boulton said he sold a percentage of his Ducks' ownership for about $20 million.

He testified that on the night of the melee, he called Mary-Jane Foster, the Bluefish owner, urging her not to have Offerman arrested "until we get all the facts. She told me the players want to press charges."

As a result, Offerman was arrested for allegedly assaulting the two players. The charges were dismissed after he successfully completed a term of accelerated rehabilitation.

Still, Boulton testified that despite repeatedly viewing a series of photographs of the incident, "I still don't see Mr. Nathans being hit."

Earlier in the day, Offerman, a 15-year veteran of the major leagues who played in two All-Star games, said when he got to home plate after hitting the game's first pitch for a home run, Nathans said something to him.

"Do you know what he said," Becker asked.

"No," Offerman replied.

Offerman said this was the only time he ever charged the mound with or without a bat. He explained that it was a reaction after being hit in the leg by Beech's fastball in the second inning.

He admitted raising the bat above his head, but denied intending to strike anyone, or hitting anyone, during questioning by Becker and his lawyer, Frank Riccio II.

"I never swung the bat," he said.

He recalled Carl Everett, a Ducks' teammate and former major leaguer, pulling the bat away from him and at that point leaving the field.